Notes on the 17th game in a 17-day stretch for A’s

John Shea reporting from the stadium formerly known as Comiskey Park . . .

The A’s are finishing their 17-games-in-17-days run today. They’re 13-3 since their last off day, May 23.

And on the 18th day, they’ll rest. Monday, they’re off. Tuesday, they host the Yankees.

“We’ve had a long stretch of games here. National league teams, American League teams, different time zones,” manager Bob Melvin said. “We’re a little bit tired right now. Usually when you’re playing well, you don’t want the off days. But in this particular case, I think we’re all looking forward to the off day tomorrow.”

—– Chris Young is back with the team and back in the lineup after missing Saturday with an illness.

He’s OK, but his bat is sick. He’s hitting .177.

“You look at his numbers, and he’s got a decent amount of home runs (five) for his at-bats (147) and has got some RBIs, too (22). It’s his average that hasn’t been consistent. He continues to work on that. He’s had a little bit of a tougher transition (changing leagues). This is different than anything he’s had to do so far. He continues to work. We’re all optimistic his talent level will take over and he’ll put up the type of numbers he has in the past.”

—– As planned, Melvin has gone with his right-handed lineup against the White Sox’s four starting pitchers in the wake of using his lefty lineup against the three righty starters in Milwaukee.

As a result, first baseman Brandon Moss hasn’t gotten much time in Chicago.

“That’s a tough one because he’s so important to the team,” Melvin said. “That’s just the way it worked out. Nate Freiman has done a nice job against left-handed pitching. That’s one where if you’re a player, you just have to stay ready and work hard in the cage, which he continues to do, and during every game expect to get in there and stay ready.”

—– On the other hand, Yoenis Cespedes, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick, Josh Donaldson and Jed Lowrie keep playing every game.

Lowrie plays second base against lefties (so Adam Rosales could play short) and shortstop against righties (so Eric Sogard could play second). Lowrie also has hit first through fifth in the lineup.

Today, he’s batting second and playing second.

“I don’t know if I’ve had anyone as versatile within the lineup as Jed Lowire,” said Melvin, noting Lowrie got four hits in one of two starts as the leadoff hitter. “So he’s very understanding of what he needs to do on a particular day. He doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel and say, ‘All right, I’m the leadoff guy, so now I’m going to do some things differently.’ He keeps with the same process and mindset yet and has a great idea of what to do wherever he hits in the lineup.”